Unfortunately, my husband is now of the oldest generation so there is no one who can give us any additional information on these families.
I would really appreciate getting in touch with someone descended these people.
Sincerely,
Carole Waller
My husband's great grandfather was Joseph Antone Schuler [1841-1931] who lived his life in Alpthal, Schwyz. He was married to Marianna, or Marie, or Anna Elizabeth Luond [1854-1937] who was born in Brunni and died, we think, in Alpthal. They had 9 children. We know of 5 who emigrated to the USA. Those staying at home were Baltizar, Rosemary, Mary, and Franziska.
Your first port of call might be the Gemeinde:
Alpthal is a tiny place in the boondocks. Don't expect to find many English speakers in local government, so if you don't speak German you should have someone translate your initial query.
From the phonebook, here are Schulers in Alpthal:
http://tel.local.ch/de/q?what=schule...pthal&rid=rvy9
(BTW, Alpthal is the kind of place where half the population has one of two or three family names.)
But no hits for Luond. Perhaps in one of the nearby villages?
ETA:
Seems there are Lüönds (note the Umlauts) in Ober- and Unteriberg and Rothenthurm, all in the area:
http://tel.local.ch/de/q?what=Lüönd&...iberg&rid=hT1L
http://tel.local.ch/de/q?what=Lüönd&...thurm&rid=41l6
You will also find lots of Schulers in villages around the area. Schuler is a very common name in SZ.
According to this http://tel.local.ch/de/q?what=Schuler&where=Alpthal&rid=erix&utf8=%E2%9C% 93&typeref=res
there are still quite a few Schulers living in Alpthal whereas I couldn't find any Lüond. But you can get in touch with the administration of Alpthal directly: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
Do you happen to know the the town of origin of the families? According to google it will be most probably Glarus or Netstal for the Schulers.
There it gets a little complicated because all the towns in the Canton of Glarus merged into three some years ago. I therefore think that you should get in touch with the cantonal administration: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) and ask them for more.
As for the Lüonds I found one possible town of origin: Rothenturm SZ
You could get in touch with administration there as well:
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
HangtownGal, thanks for the photo.
all good wishes
Thanks meloncollie, for the start. I had found the phone book, but figured it would cost me over $80 US to write to all 15 people. I live in California in the US. I checked out the alpthal.ch page. It was quite interesting to be able to see what's going on in the village, but I couldn't find any place where I could leave a message.
I appreciate your taking the time to read and respond to my inquiry. BTW, I use google to translate.
Carole
Carol, are you familiar with the Swiss 'Heimatort', or town of origin?
This is what Simplon is referring to - every Swiss family has a town of origin, which may or may not (and usually not) be where the family is currently living. This is where the family originated, back in the mists of time.
All details - births, deaths, etc. - are registered in the Heimatort. So, follow Simplon's link, as the Schuler family Heimatort might be Glarus or Nestal.
Coincidentally, I'll be speaking with a Schuler (who is from the general area) today; I'll ask her where her Heimatort is - will get back to you.
Simplon, thank you so very much for your response. I'll email each of your suggestions first thing tomorrow.
I'm not really sure what you mean by town of origin. The only town my husband or his cousin remember hearing about was Alpthal.
I have the death notice card that was sent out for Joseph Anton Schuler-Luond and all the relatives not in the US were in Alpthal.
Thanks for taking your time to read and respond to my inquiry. And especially for your suggestions.
Carole
moggy, glad you enjoyed the photo. My mother-in-law left a tote full of photos and less that a dozen had identifying notations on them. Luckily, my husband's older cousin was able to id many of them. I just love these old photos.
Carole
Meloncollie explained you the meaning to a town or origin. As soon as you know this one it's literally a piece of cake to trace down you families. Every town or origin must keep records of any of "their" families in the past but as well in the present. For Swiss people the place of birth is of no importance but the place of origin is. It's stated in every offical document in this country.
meloncollie, No, 'town of origin' isn't a concept I'm at all familiar with. Am I right in thinking you're telling me that Alpthal isn't where I should be looking for Matt's family? Now you're confusing me. LOL Research in Switzerland certainly isn't anything like it is in the US.
BTW, Simplon suggested I write to Franz Mueller in Alpthal. I have a photo dated 1905 of a Fr Muller. I have no idea who she is. Would it be appropriate to attach a copy to my email?
I ended up with a number of small photos printed on a thick cardboard taken in Switzerland at the turn of the last century. Some have names printed on the back. A few are know relatives, but most are women with names unfamiliar in my research so far. I believe the one of Fr Muller was taken in Buchs, if that's a town.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Carole
Simplon, I find that fascinating. As you say, it would make research so much easier. Is there a way on the internet to look up towns of origin? I have the following names coming from Switzerland - Schuler, Luond, Michel, and Rohrer.
I would love to visit one day, but it's not likely.
Carole
Michel and Roher can originate from various towns all over Switzerland. I therefore think you should concentrate on the Schuler side and get in touch with the authorities in Glarus because there chances are best you will have success. By finding some documents of you ancestors where the "Heimatort" (town of origin) is stated you could speed up the process considerably.
Simplon, I will do as you suggest. Thanks so much for your help.
Carole
So.... I've spoken to my friend - her family's Heimatort is the town of Schwyz.
She, too, suggests that you write to Gemeinde Alpthal, as your relatives' Heimatort would be included in the Alpthal records. As Simplon says, once you have the Heimatort your research will be much easier. Records from the 1800s should still exist.
If you can't find anything from Alpthal, it wouldn't hurt to try Gemeinde Schwyz, as this is the Heimatort for several Schulers. But my friend also mentioned that Schuler is quite a common name throughout the canton, and the name alone would not imply relation.
By the way, here is a good article explaining Heimatort:
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_ne...l?cid=34842912 (English version)
http://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/gesellsc...l?cid=34874978 (GermanVersion)
Just in case you haven't been in contact with them - perhaps the Swiss Center of North America could be of some help:
http://www.theswisscenter.org/swissroots/genealogy/
Good luck with your research!
meloncollie,
Thank you so much. I know Alpthal is in Canton Schwyz, but I didn't know there was also a town by that name. Is it in Canton Schwyz? Also, what does Gemeinde mean?
I have written to all three of the sources Simplon mentioned this morning and am crossing my fingers I get at least one reply.
Thanks again for your help,
Carole
Ah Ha, germeinde means community, or township. Gotta love Google.
Hi Carole,
Yes, Gemeinde means community. Generally a town or village. But a (political) Gemeinde might encompass more than one town or village. For instance, Gemeinde Schwyz is made up of the towns of Schwyz, Ibach, Seewen, Rickenbach and Weilern.
Schwyz is the capital city (well, glorified village ) of Canton Schwyz.
FYI the website for canton SZ is here:
http://www.sz.ch/xml_1/internet/de/intro.cfm
And the Gemeinde Schwyz website is here:
Once again, thanks, Meloncolie, for the info. Between you and Simplon I'm beginning to think I just might break through this brickwall and actually find some of my husband's ancestors.
Meloncollie and Simplon, thanks to the two of you and your suggestions, I hooked up with a woman in Alpthal who has the Schuler parish records and am now back to my husbnad's 5th great grandparents. More than I ever expected.
Bless the both of you,
Carole
I must hace somewhere info about your husband,s family.
My gran gran father moved rom Alpthal to Normandie(France) at te beginning of 20th.
Your branch must be a brother of him.
I`ll send you moré details over the coming weekend.{my mum got all docs).
Bes regards
W.schuler